A year ago, the 17-year-old Joao Fonseca claimed his first ATP win at home in Rio de Janeiro as world no. 655. Twelve months later, the talented Brazilian cracked the top-70 following his first ATP trophy in Buenos Aires!
Joao defeated five rivals and endured all the challenges to claim at ATP title and write history books. At 18 years, five months and 26 days, Fonseca became the seventh-youngest ATP champion since the formation of the ATP Tour in 1990.
The Brazilian joined Lleyton Hewitt, Andrei Medvedev, Kei Nishikori, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Michael Chang on the exclusive list.
🇧🇷Joao Fonseca Wins Buenos Aires 250🏆
Crazy atmosphere/crowd noise
“For me this that I’m living is unbelievable..my real dream is to play tennis. Of course I want to be No. 1, of course I want to win slams. But my dream is just play tennis and I’m living it..”
🎥: ATP Media pic.twitter.com/qy5qI71l8R
— TennisONE App (@TennisONEApp) February 17, 2025
Joao started the campaign against Tomas Martin Etcheverry and scored a 6-3, 6-3 victory. The young gun claimed one break in the opening set and provided three in the second to emegre at the top. The Brazilian made a slow start against Federico Coria.
The Argentine claimed the opener in style before a teenager responded and notch a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 triumph for a place in the quarter-final. A teenager dropped serve three times in the first set and kept everything under control in the next two.
Joao Fonseca, Buenos Aires 2025© Stream screenshot
Joao scored an early break in the second set and two more in the decider to remain on the title course. Facing the third home player in the quarter-final, the young gun had to give everything to prevail against Mariano Navone.
The 18-year-old denied two match points and won 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 in just under three hours! Mariano claimed two breaks in the opening set for a reliable start. The Argentine led 3-2 and 4-3 in the second set.
Joao Fonseca, Buenos Aires 2025© Stream screenshot
However, Fonseca fought back and claimed three breaks in a row to steal the set 6-4 and extend his chances. The young gun suffered a break at the start of the decider and trailed 5-3 after Navone’s four comfortable holds.
A teenager served to stay in the match in game nine and faced two match points. He saved them and held for a massive boost. Joao held at love in game 11 to move in front and provided another break at 6-5 to book a place in the semi-final.
Laslo Djere stood between Fonseca and his first ATP final. The Brazilian overcame another stern test and claimed a 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 win. Joao played well in the tie break to build an early advantage. The young gun broke in the eighth game of the second set for 5-3.
Joao Fonseca, Buenos Aires 2025© Stream screenshot
He served for the win in game nine and suffered a break at 15. Laslo denied a break point on serve in game ten and held for 5-5 and more drama. The more experienced player secured another break in game 11 and held at 6-5 to force a decider.
Fonseca kept his focus and rattled off five games in the final set for a place in the title clash. The local hero Francisco Cerundolo stood betweek Joao and his first ATP title. The 18-year-old prevailed 6-4, 7-6 to lift a trophy and write history books.
Joao made a reliable start and stole the Argentine’s serve two times in the opening set for 6-4. The Brazilian secured four good holds in the second set and clinched a break in game five for the advantage. Fonseca served for the title at 5-4 and felt the pressure.
Buenos Aires 2025© Stream screenshot
He lost serve and broke Cerundolo back to 5-5. The 18-year-old broke again in the 11th game and served for the title for the second time. However, Joao experienced another break and allowed his opponent to introduce a tie break.
The rising star attacked and grabbed three mini-breaks. Fonseca secured three mini-breaks and cracked a forehand down the line winner at 6-1 to start a massive celebration.
Tennis World USA